Car Accidents

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Strong Representation from Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers

Fighting for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians injured in a car crash in Arizona

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, over 50,000 people were injured on Arizona’s roads and close to 900 people were killed in 2015. These numbers are inexcusable. Drivers have a duty to obey the state traffic laws and use reasonable safety measures to avoid auto accidents. Many of these accidents were due to driver intoxication or speeding. Auto accidents, when they do not kill someone, often cause catastrophic or permanent injuries. Even those car accident victims who do heal can take a long time to recover.

At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our lawyers have the skills, education, persuasive abilities, and resources to fight for economic justice. Since 1991, our Phoenix car accident lawyers have successfully obtained large verdicts and settlements for our clients because we invest substantial time and resources into each case we bring to trial. We work with traffic reconstruction experts when necessary and speak to all relevant witnesses. Our legal team works with our clients’ doctors and sometimes directs them to medical specialists to determine the full extent of the injuries sustained. We demand payment for all medical bills and lost wages. Our skilled legal team includes Board Certified Personal Injury and Wrongful Death specialists.

What kinds of injuries can you get in a car accident?

More than 116,000 car crashes occurred on the streets of Arizona during 2015, as reported by the Arizona Department of Transportation. That averages out to about 31 vehicle accidents per day. About a third of these incidents resulted in injuries, totaling injuries to more than 55,000 people. While most of these injuries were only somewhat serious, 4,117 people were left with incapacitating injuries that forever changed their lives. These numbers are alarming. Car accidents occur so often in our daily lives that most of us rarely consider the substantial amount of people whose lives are forever changed by the negligence of another driver.

When you get into a little “fender bender,” the thing that hurts the most is usually your pride. A serious car accident, however, can lead to life-altering injuries. Our Phoenix car accident attorneys help people who have suffered:

Traumatic brain injuries. A collision with another car or a stationary object can cause your head to hit the window, the steering wheel, the dashboard or the back of your seat with enough force that it leads to a TBI.

Loss of limb. Crushing injuries are common in serious impact car crashes, and those injuries may result in the loss of your limb. This is also a serious concern for pedestrians and cyclists who are hit by drivers.

Permanent disfigurement. Burns and lacerations can leave permanent scars, or leave you disfigured. A severe burn could require massive changes in your home, too, if you are unable to properly maintain your own body temperature.

Paralysis or spinal injuries. The impact of a collision with another car or with a stationary object can lead to serious spinal cord injuries. Among the most devastating are partial and total paralysis, which may leave you needing around-the-clock care and home modifications (like a wheelchair ramp), or necessitate long-term physical therapy.

Organ damage and internal bleeding. If you are pierced by an object in a crash, or by a defective auto product (such as Takata’s exploding airbags), you may sustain permanent organ damage. This could land you on a transplant list, and it likely to necessitate emergency surgery. If you are bleeding internally, it is imperative that doctors discover it right away, or it could be fatal.

$3.3 million settlement: Suit against a drunk driver and his employer for brain injury and other injuries to family members. 2009.

Why back and neck injuries are so dangerous

Back and neck injuries are commonly associated with car crashes. These injuries can take on a variety of forms, depending on the type of crash and place of bodily impact. Our Phoenix car accident attorneys have worked with numerous victims of back and neck injuries, including those with such injuries as:

Herniated discs. The impact of a car accident can cause complications with the disks between the individual vertebrae of the spine, according to the Mayo Clinic. These individual bones stack up to form the spine. When the rubbery discs are injured, it can cause extensive pain in the back, thighs or buttocks. When the rupture occurs in the neck, the pain mostly affects the arms and shoulders. Victims may also experience numbness, tingling sensations and muscle weakness.

When auto accidents result in spinal cord injuries, victims can be left with various levels of partial paralysis. Depending on the location of injury on the spine, an individual may experience temporary, partial paralysis up to permanent paralysis, affecting the majority of the body.

Car crashes and traumatic brain injuries

The Centers of Disease Control reports that, of the two million people impacted by traumatic brain injuries each year, about 14.3 percent of these cases are caused by motor vehicle accidents. This shows the high possibility of brain damage developing from a car crash.

We understand the complexities of a brain injury and how to develop a case that adequately communicates the severity of these injuries to the defendant and a court of law, if necessary. Throughout our years of service, we have seen numerous auto accident-related brain injury cases including:

Penetration of the skull. The impact of a car crash may send a foreign object into the car, penetrating the head of a driver or passenger. This type of “open” head wound injury can cause substantial damage to the victim’s brain tissue. Depending on the location of the impact to the brain, this type of injury may lead to seizures, coma and paralysis. Open wound brain injury victims are also susceptible to infections.

Brain movement. The impact of a vehicle crash can cause the victim’s head to hit against the dashboard or steering wheel of the car. This can cause the brain to move around violently and bump against the inside of the skull. Brain movement can lead to bruising of the brain tissue. Victims may experience memory loss, severe headaches, loss of vision and mood deviations.

Brain bleed. Brain movement may also lead to bleeding within the brain. Sometimes, this hemorrhaging is not immediately noticed, which can worsen the condition significantly. This type of injury can lead to weakness of the facial muscles, speech complications and difficulty with movement.

While back and head injuries are not the only type of injury that can result from an auto accident, they are some of the most common. At our firm, you can count on our Phoenix car accident lawyers to fight for rights following a crash.

Common causes of car crashes in Arizona

It is essential to determine how the car accident happened so that the right people and entities can be held accountable. When fault is clear, our litigators can clearly demonstrate to a jury, judge, or insurance adjustor that the victim’s injuries were caused by the accident. Some of the more common causes of accidents on Interstates 10, 17, and 40, Arizona Routes 202 and 206, and other Arizona roads include:

When drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and other parties deliberately or recklessly fail to consider the safety of others, our Phoenix car collision lawyers bring punitive damages to hold accountable the person or business that committed such an extreme wrong.

Who is responsible?

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys understand that the driver often is not the only party at fault. We bring claims against everyone involved in causing the accident so we can hold them accountable. Often, these other parties are the ones who have a better ability to pay for the accident through their insurance or their company assets. In addition to the driver, it may be prudent to bring a claim against:

The owner of the car, truck, or vehicle that caused the accident.

A manufacturer, distributor, or seller of a defective vehicle or vehicle part

A restaurant or bar that served liquor to someone who they reasonably knew was intoxicated

The state of Arizona, a county, or any government or business entity that was responsible for the faulty design or subpar maintenance of the road

A shipping company that unduly pressured its truck drivers to put profit ahead of driver safety

Handling all types of car accidents

Each and every day, hundreds of innocent people are injured in automobile accidents across the state of Arizona. The severity of these incidents ranges from minor fender benders to serious or fatal injuries. As reported by the Arizona Department of Transportation, nearly 900 individuals lost their lives on the Arizona roadways during 2015. That same year, more than 55,000 people were injured in car crashes. These individuals were injured in various types of incidents, from head-on collisions to rear-end crashes.

At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our experienced Phoenix car accident lawyers understand that every type of car crash can cause severe injuries. We have seen the pain that comes from these incidents, so we work hard to secure high-value damage awards for our clients’ honest injuries. If you were impacted by a car crash, turn to us for an honest discussion of your legal options.

Skilled representation for various car crashes

Our lawyers have more than 25 years of proven personal injury successes. We use our resources and skills to provide every client with guidance they can trust after a devastating car crash. Our experience includes cases involving the following types of vehicle accidents:

Rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. These incidents often result from drivers failing to maintain adequate distance between their car and the vehicle ahead of them. While there is a widely-held belief that the driver of the rear-ending vehicle is always at fault, there are numerous circumstances where the rear-ended driver may be found liable for the accident.

Sideswipes. Sideswiping occurs when the sides of two vehicles come into contact with one another. This most commonly happens when two people are driving beside one another and one carelessly changes lanes without checking to ensure that the lane is clear. These incidents may also result when a distracted driver negligently drifts into another lane of traffic. Sideswipes can be severe due to the limited amount of space and protection on the sides of vehicles.

Head-on collisions. These are usually the most violent types of accidents, as they often happen at high levels of speed. Head-on collisions occur when the fronts of two or more vehicles collide. They can result when a driver drifts into oncoming traffic, fails to properly negotiate a turn or loses control of the vehicle. The force of the impact can be even more devastating when one vehicle is significantly larger than the other, such as a passenger car and a delivery truck.

T-bone collisions. This type of impact involves the front end of one car and the side of another. These accidents commonly occur when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign or traffic light. All parties in a T-bone collision are at risk of severe injury, but the driver and/or passengers of the car on its side are in particularly vulnerable positions. The lack of protection within the car door can result in fatal injuries.

Rollovers. Rollovers occur when a vehicle tips to one side and rolls over onto one side or the roof. These accidents generally happen when a vehicle impacts a foreign object, like a curb. Defective tires and unreasonably high speeds can also cause a car to roll over and fatally injure occupants.

Trusted guidance when car accidents turn fatal

Serious car accidents occur on the roadways of Arizona every single day. While victims in most of these crashes are able to return home to their families with minimal injury, far too many end with a fatality. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the state experienced 895 motor vehicle-related deaths during 2015. This represents an increase of 121 fatalities when compared to the preceding years. Data about these fatal accidents showed the following:

313 of the people killed in car accidents weren’t using safety devices such as helmets, seat belts and child safety restraints.

Excessive speeding or improper speeds for road conditions were causes in 300 of these fatal accidents.

Alcohol was involved in 295 of these fatal crashes.

While these statistics identify some common trends, they also exemplify the numerous factors that can contribute to a fatal car crash. Our Phoenix car accident lawyers have seen many families touched by the atrocities of fatal car accidents. Some of their loved ones were killed instantly when their crashes occurred, while others endured extensive amounts of pain and suffering before ultimately dying from the injuries.

Certified lawyers handle your wrongful death claim

While most people walk away from car accidents with minor injuries, the most serious incidents rob victims of their lives. When death results, the victim’s family may have a wrongful death claim for compensation. Depending on the details of your case, it may be appropriate to seek compensation from a number of responsible parties, including:

The driver of the other car

The car manufacturer

The manufacturer of a specific car part

The driver’s employer

The owner of the involved vehicle

The government agency in charge of the roadway

Any of these parties may be proven liable for the death of your loved one.

Car accident compensation cases can be challenging to pursue for a number of reasons. The complexity of a crash can make the investigation process difficult, especially if multiple vehicles are involved. In addition, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may prove uncooperative. Adjustors may refuse to communicate or attempt to delay negotiations. They often use a variety of tactics to avoid payment of the compensation that surviving families deserve. When communicating with insurance companies, it is vitally important to have experienced Phoenix wrongful death attorneys speaking on your behalf. We understand the tactics used by these companies and how to effectively counter them.

At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our clients with wrongful death claims benefit from the services of highly skilled attorneys who dedicate their time and resources to the well-being of each and every client. We pride ourselves on providing the people of Arizona with trustworthy representation for honest victims with real injuries. Each of our three partners has been Certified by the Arizona State Bar as Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation. This hard-earned distinction means that our clients receive a quality representation that they can trust.

Speak with an experienced auto crash lawyer as soon as possible

Plattner Verderame, P.C. fights for honest people with honest injuries. We are experienced lawyers who thoroughly prepare each case for jury trial. We only settle when the negotiation is fair and you consent. For help now, call our Phoenix car accident lawyers at 602-783-8793 or toll free at 888-657-3573, or contact us today to arrange a free consultation. We take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis.

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Our Testimonials

Beverly S.

"The experience I had with Plattner-Verderame was a very positive one. My personal attorney was Randall Hinsch. Both Randy and his legal assistant Michelle Quillan were wonderful and always kept me up to date on any progress. I never felt like they forgot about me. They were skillful, professional and just very decent nice people. I would most definitely highly recommend them."

Beverly S.

Plattner Verderame PC

5.0

2017-04-23T17:02:45+00:00

Beverly S.

"The experience I had with Plattner-Verderame was a very positive one. My personal attorney was Randall Hinsch. Both Randy and his legal assistant Michelle Quillan were wonderful and always kept me up to date on any progress. I never felt like they forgot about me. They were skillful, professional and just very decent nice people. I would most definitely highly recommend them."

https://plattner-verderame.com/blog/testimonials/beverly-s/

Joan R.

"If you are looking for highly intelligent, experienced, results oriented lawyers who specialize in injury and wrongful death, I found them with Randall Hinsch and Richard Plattner of the Plattner Verderame law firm. Randy understood my needs, walked me through at my pace and made me feel comfortable through the whole process. Best of all, they helped me obtain the justice deserved. I was in direct contact with them the whole time and my case was solved without having to go to trial. I would highly recommend them."

Joan R.

Plattner Verderame PC

5.0

2017-04-29T19:01:44+00:00

Joan R.

"If you are looking for highly intelligent, experienced, results oriented lawyers who specialize in injury and wrongful death, I found them with Randall Hinsch and Richard Plattner of the Plattner Verderame law firm. Randy understood my needs, walked me through at my pace and made me feel comfortable through the whole process. Best of all, they helped me obtain the justice deserved. I was in direct contact with them the whole time and my case was solved without having to go to trial. I would highly recommend them."